Hoisting an I-beam …

[rockinmywaypa]

There's only two ways I'd consider lifting that beam up. One is the crane that's been mentioned and the other would be a forklift with the lift height capability to set it on the posts. Look the posts are only bolted at the bottom so there isn't a whole lot to keep them from pulling over if something is hanging from them and secondly you have a real nice cement floor,why would you take a chance on having that beam falling and messing up the floor? Brace those posts as soon as you can before that beam gets on them.

 

[daedong]

Fungus

(1) Build two pontoons place the beam with about 4ft over hang each end on the pontoons and wait for a flood then float beam into place.

(2) Cut the beam in half, this will enable you to pick up half at a time with a boom pole on the FEL place the first half on upright one end and prop the other end, pick up second half, place it on the other upright and weld back together.

Get a crane /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[bczoom]

Fungus,

That's a pretty hefty beam. Whatever you do, be careful.
Although all the DIY options sound doable, personally, I'd probably go with the crane. Nothing to buy, build, assemble, remove, reset at next location...

Do you already have the other 2 beams you mentioned onsite?
When I had beams delivered, the truck had a crane to set them in place. If you're having the other 2 delivered, you could probably convince them to install this one as well.

 

[markct]

another idea came to mind, i remember once we set up a heavy gantry to lift some machinery from a pit in a old factory, what we did was bolt it all together and anchor the bottom edges so they couldnt kick out, and then pulled the whole thing up, i dont see why you couldnt do that with your tractor as long as the uprights arnt cast right into the concrete

 

[EddieWalker]

$150 is a bargain!

I'd also say you'd be a fool to try to do it any other way. You're dealing with something that could easily slip and kill somebody. Is death or permanent injury worth saving $150?

Not to mention the time, effort and expense of creating some half baked do hicky that might or might not work.

Good luck, it looks like you've done a good job so far on the foundation.


Eddie

 

[Currmudgeon]

For a hundred and a half, I'd rent the crane, no questions asked.

If you insist on DIYing the effort, I'd lash a 16 or 20 foot 4x4 to each column. I'd use the 20 footer if I could get one. That extra four feet will make the beam easier to move when you're on short-lines. Guy the columns securely to solid ground anchors or deadmen. Then raise the beam along the face of the column with a pair of chain hoists. Keep it pretty level. You can use blocks and tackle, if you have a party of seamen, a fiddler, and feel like Horatio Hornblower.

Getting the beam around the bearing plate on top, will be tricky, as will be getting the holes lined up to bolt it home. You'll want a couple of bars, a couple of drift pins, and maybe another chain hoist.

Sounds like a fun project. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You'll have well over $150 sunk in hardware, unless you happen to have the stuff already.

 

[TBAR]

This Is How We Did It.

Modified an engine hoist and also used a chain hoist. The lift was 10'6" and the beam was 8" 23# x 30'.

More Pictures............


TBAR

 

[BB_TX]

Do you have a neighbor with a big farm tractor? When I put up my metal building, my neighbor brought over his large International farm tractor (100+ hp). He had a hay spear on his bucket. We put a lifting strap around the beam and around the spear. He could lift to about 15'. Made easy work of it.

 

[Fungus]

Thanks for the replies. Being retired at an early age I have more time than money so cost and the challenge thing win out. As I mentioned there are 3 beams to place in 2 different buildings. Since I’m only ready to place the one now and the other 2 later it would be $150 minimum for each job or $300.

I thought about all the suggestions and favor constructing 2 A-frames – 1 adjacent to each column. Each frame will attached to the stem wall using some angle iron to pickup a few anchor bolts. I probably should point out that my anchor bolts are attached to rebar that extends down into the footer. The column is strong enough to keep the frames upright. One leg of the A-frame will extend beyond the top of the A in a cantilever fashion so the beam will swing into place after it clears the column top.

I decided to use steel pipe (cheaper than wood in my area) for the frames. I calculated the stress at a few critical points and for 600 lbs, each frame, its negligible. With 4 blocks and some wire cable I can pull the beam into place using my tractor while keeping a safe distance from the setup.

My neighbor has enough wire cable so I only have to buy the pipe and 4 blocks. The blocks will be a useful tool addition. It’s about $160 for the pipe & blocks so I’ll save about $140 in the long run.

I’ll post some pictures of the process.

 

[daedong]

Fungus,
<font color="blue"> Since I’m only ready to place the one now and the other 2 later it would be $150 minimum for each job or $300. </font>

I think it only fair to TBNers if you had posted this in the first instance.................and you also may have had a better or different response. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif